Tape dispensers



March 8, 1960 c. RABER TAPE DIsPENsERs 2 Sheet's-Shaet 1 Filed Sept. l, 1954 March 8, v1960 c. RABER 1 TAPE DISPENSERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. l, 1954 TAPE nrsPENSERs Christopher Raber, Willow Grove, Pa.; Anna S. Raber, executrix of said Christopher Raber, deceased, assignor to. said Anna S. Raber Application September 1', 11954, Serial No. 453,623

-This invention relates to tape dispensers, and more particularly to tape having an active adhesive on one face thereof which will adhere to a surface to which applied Without need for wetting or activation by other solvent in use of the tape.- For instance, there is now on the market a tape having a solidified viscose base one surface of which is. coatedwith latex or other adherent and sold in rolls under the trademark Scotch Tape. Other manufacturers have similar tape sold under other trade-names. One difficulty encountered with this type of tape is the fact that after a piece has been severed, the terminal end of the remaining tape settles back onto the roll and adheres thereto and is not readily loosened therefrom when ane other piece is desired to be drawn from the roll.

In the broad aspects of the present invention, a dispenser is provided wherein the terminal margin of the tape on the roll is kept away from the roll for ready Y that the wipe-on type is one wherein an end margin of the tape is exposed at the exterior of the dispenser and ,is applied toV a surface in adhering contact therewith so that by thereafter pulling the dispenser, more tape is unwound, from the roll and is applied as a continuous strip directly upon the surface in continuation of said end margin that was applied to the surface at the beginning of the operation. The pull-out type dispenser is one wherein the end margin of the tape isl protruded from the dispenser and is grasped between the users lingers and the desired length then pulled out. In either case, the dispenser provides a suitable cutter by which the tape is severed when a piece of desired length has.l 'been extracted. Ordinarily the tape in the-wipe-onWtype of dispenser is applied directly in place and cut where desired to terminate the piece of tape on such surface, whereas the tape in the pull-out type of dispenseris extracted to desired length, there cut, and the piece then applied Where desired upon a surface.

A further object of the invention is to retract the margin of tape, after. the cut has been made, so that said mragin, in whole or greater part, will be protected in the container and will not inadvertently becomestuck to some other surface or object where not desired.

A further object of the invention is to retract V.the mar,- gin of tape, after the cut has been made, so that said margin, in whole or greater part, will be protected. in the container and will not inadvertently become stuck to some other surface or object where not desired.

In conjunction with the foregoing object, the invention.

provides an enclosure between the parts being suchy that the end'of the tape 2 for the roll of tape, said enclosure essentially comprising members having limited rotation with respect to. each other and one member adapted to receive and grip the roll of tape and the other having an opening through which the tape will be protruded as the members are relatively rotated.

. With particular reference to the wipe-on type of dispenser, the invention provides novel cutting means with protection afforded thereto for preventing damage to the surface on which the tape is being applied.

Other objects, advantages and novel structural fea- Y tures will appear to persons skilled in the art towhich the invention appertains, as the description proceeds, both Ibyv direct` reference thereto andrby implication from the context. A

Y Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals of reference Vindicate similar parts throughout the several views; l 1 Figure' 1 is a perspective view of a wipe-on type "of tape dispenser embodying my invention, the relationship left after dispensing a piece, has been withdrawn into the container; Y Y f Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1, but showing the other extreme relative position of the members, with the tape end margin projecting from the container, ready for application to a surface to which it is to be adhered;

Figure 3 is an axial sectional view on the line III-III- of Fig. 1in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on a larger scale, on` the line IV-IVof Fig. 3,'in the direction of the arrows, showing the end Vof the tape in full lines in the position of` Fig. 1, and Vindotted lines in position of` Fig; 2; l t

Fig. S'is a view corresponding to Fig. 4, but showing the dispenser in the act of dispensing tape by a wipe-on operation; Y

Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Fig. 5, but showing the subsequent operation of cutting oii a section oftape after the wipe-on operation is completed;

Figure 7 is a sectional view on the arcuate lineA Vll--VII of Fig. 5, in the `direction of the arrows;A Figure 8 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4,y but showingV my invention used with a pull-out type of dispenser; g Figure 9 is an axial sectional view on line IX-I'X ofv Fig. 8, in the direction of the arrows; y

Figure 10 isv a side elevational view, with parts broken away, and partially corresponding to Fig. 8, but showing the members in the opposite extreme position of rotation infrespect to one another;

`Figure 11:,is a sectional view on the arcuate line XI-XI oflFig. 10, in the direction ofthe arrows; i Figure l2 vis a side elevational view, with parts in section on the line XIl-Xll of Fig. 13, showing the interior construction of a modied embodiment of my invention;

- Figure 13` isY an axial sectional view on the line XIII- XIII of Fig. 12, in the direction of the arrows;rv Y

Figure 14 is a'perspective view of Athe serrated cutting element of the embodiment of Figs. 12 and 13;

Figure l5 is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding withthe nose portion of Fig. 12, but showing another inode of attachment of the cutter; and

Figure'l is arsectional view showing the metal cutter: of Fig. 12, used with the rotatable annular wall (J0nstruction of Fig. 4. l

Referringfrst to the embodiment of my invention illus` trated in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, there isshown atape dispensing device or container 21, comprising apain` of Y Mal'.

generally cylindrical members 22 and 23 each having a substantially annular side or end wall 24, 25 respectively, and a peripheral wall 26, 27, one of which, as 27, telescopes within the other. The outer one of these peripheral walls, 26, has a more or less radially projecting nose or tape applicator portion 28. From the central portion of the annular wall of one of said members, here shown as member 22, axially projects a hollow cylindrical hub portion 29 within the member and long enough to project through and removably interlock with the other side wall 2S of the other member 23. Said members 22, 23 constituting container 21 are desirably formed of plastic, preferably, but not necessarily, transparent, so as to show the amount of tape therein. However, I do not Wish to be limited to plastic, as any suitable material, either transparent or opaque, and including metal, may be employed. The tape to be mounted in and dispensed by my improved device is desirably, although not necessarily, of the type herein above referred to as having a solidified viscose base and available on the market in rolls and having one surface coated with latex or other adherent.

In said embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures l to 7, the aforementioned hub portion 29 is formed with a series of longitudinally extending slots 30, of which there are, in the arbitrarily selected showing in the drawing, eight, said slots being spaced approximately uniformly, that is, in this instance, about forty-tive degrecs apart. Said slots 3G are provided for the purpose of giving resilience to the end of the hub 29, which s adapted to rotatably ride in a central opening in the side wall 25 of the closure member 27. The tape is wound upon a hollow core 32 whichl is rotatable upon the hub, but in suliiciently tight contact therewith so as not to rotate freely but only when a pulling force is applied to the outer end of the tape.

A peripheral groove 33 traverses the slitted hub 29 adjacent to its outer end to receive the inner peripheral edge of the annular wall 27, after resilient assembly therewith, as by snapping the said wall over the hub portion 29 into said groove.

The nose 28 is provided with a relatively sharp, desirably serrated, cutting edge 34 at its outer end, over which the tape is drawn and ultimately cut. This cutting edge may be formed ofthe material of the nose itself, as best shown in Figs. 4, and 6, or may be a special metal cutter 34a as in the form of Figures 12 to 15. In any event, the serrations lie below or rearwardly of side lips 35 at opposite ends of the cutting edge, spaced apart a distance greater than the width of the tape, so that in drawing the tape from the container onto a surface 36, the tape rides on the smooth nose area between the lips and the lips engage the surface. Thus the cutting edge, particularly at its ends, will not engage said surface 36 and will be prevented from digging into said surface when the device is twisted to effect the cut of the tape.

I have specilied above that the container comprises two members, each with a peripheral wall, of which one wall telescopes within the other and are additionally relatively rotatable. For convenience, these peripheral walls are referred to as outer wall 26 and inner wall 27. The outer wall 26 has a nose 28 projecting outwardly therefrom, and substantially at the base of said nose is a transverse slit or opening 37 adequate to pass the tape 31 therethrough. The inner peripheral wall 27 has a corresponding slit or opening 38 also adequate to pass the tape therethrough. In what may be termed the forward or dispensing rotated relation of the members, said slits or openings 37 and 38 are in substantial registration and the tape may be drawn directly therethrough from the roll and pass over the nose, as in Fig. 6. Rotation of the inner wall with respect to the outer is limited by a stop 39, here shown as a short lug projecting from the end wall 24 of outer member 22 in the path of for- Ward movement of the rear edge of slit or opening 38 of the inner peripheral wall. Said stop 39 is in proximity to the base of the nose and slot opening 37 thereat. Forwardly of opening 38 and in the inner peripheral wall 27 at the side next to the end wall 24 of the outer member 22 having the stop 39, is an arcuate notch 4t) accommodating the stop as the members rotate relative to each other, the length of the notch limiting the amount of rotation. When the stop is at the far end of the notch from the slit opening 38 the inner peripheral wall has a rotated position retracted under the nose and displaced from registration with the slit opening 37 of the outer member. A peripherally arcuate channel 41 is provided between the peripheral walls for a length extending from one slit opening to the other when the inner wall is rotated to its most retracted position. Said channel is shown formed in the `outer member beneath the nose. The channel accommodates the tape loosely therein and guides and protects said tape as it lies therein or caused to move therein from the inner slit opening to the outer slit opening at this position of non-registration of the slit openings, as best shown in Fig. 4.

As shown in full lines in Fig. 4, the tape 31 is in its retracted position in the location where it normally lies when the device is not being used. It will be seen that only the end margin of the tape protrudes from the outer slit opening 37 at the base of the nose 28, but that there is a loose length of tape lying in channel 41. In order to make the tape available, the container members 22, 23 are relatively rotated to bring the slit openings into registration, and as the roll of tape will rotate with the inner member, the loose end of the tape also moves and is forced out of the outer slit opening, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, without as yet unwinding any more of the tape from the roll. It is opportune to here note that rotation of said members is readily accomplished between fingers of one hand grasping opposite sides of the container, and that portions of said sides may be roughened or knurled, as at 42, to afford a good grip for the lingers. The tape, as it is advanced by the said rotation of the members, tends to curl back toward the nose because of its engagement with the forward edge of the outer slit opening, and assumes a position such as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

Manipulation of the device as above explained, positions the tape out to the end of nose 28, which, as shown in Fig. 5, may then be brought down against a work surface 36 and by pulling the nose along that surface the tape is progressively applied thereto, unreeling as needed and passing freely and directly out of the then registering slit openings 37 and 38. It will be noted that as the device is moved along the Work surface, the nose is inclined so that the cutting edge 34 is above that surface out of engagement from the tape. When a suflicient length of tape has been applied, the device is tilted backward somewhat so as to engage the cutter with the tape, as shown in Fig. 6. The device s then twisted slightly and pulled, so the cutter functions to sever the tape from one side to the other. If that s all that is required for application of tape for the time being, the members are reversely rotated with respect to each other, and this movement serves to retract the loose length of tape along the nose so that it is returned into the channel 41 for protection and again will assume the position in which the tape is shown in full lines in Fig. 4. The outer face of the inner peripheral wall where underlying the base of the nose in the retracted position, preferably has a recession 43 thereby increasing the effec tive depth of channel 41 and thereby avoid possibility of the tape becoming attached to the outer face of said wall. Engagement of the tape with the edge of the slit opening applies suicient pressure to the tape, aided by the natural curl of the tape due to its having been rolled, to slope it toward the base of the nose as shown in Fig. 4.

It should also be noted that the face of the nose 28 that projects outwardly from slit 37 is concave and has a length equivalent' to the" width .of the users nger. There accordingly will-be` algoodly length of tape from the `slit to the outer end ofthe nose Vthat will be out of contact from the proximate nose surface, as a result of which the tape, if not retracted but left with its end stuck to'v the cutter or to the nose end where it was cut, is readily grasped when desired for once again withdrawing more of the tape from the roll of tape.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 8 to 11, inclusive, a dispenser is shown which is intended more particularly for use as a pull-out type of device. The container 21a is in general similar to above-described container 21, except that the nose 28 is omitted and the hub differs in that a portion 29a thereof is formed on each end wall 24a and 25a with the core 32 of the roll of tape 31 carried at its ends on the opposed core portions. The members 22a and 23a have telescoping cylindrical walls located so that one is an outer peripheral wall 26a as an integral part of member 22a and the other is an inner peripheral wall 27a as an integral part of the other member 23a. These peripheral walls have openings thereacross for passage of the tape 31 to the exterior. The opening 37a in the outer peripheral wall has a dimension peripherally of the wall considerably greater than the corresponding dimension of the opening 38a of the inner peripheral wall. The walls are relatively rotatable, the inner one having an arcuate notch 40a which receives a lug or stop 39a projecting from the outer member. The limit of rotation is approximately twice the aforesaid peripheral dimension of the opening 37a in the outer peripheral wall, as a result of which the opening 38a of the inner peripheral wall will, during a full amplitude of rotation of the members, register half of the time with the outer opening and half of the time will be retracted behind the outer member wall. The forward margin of opening 38a of the inner member is formed to provide a recession 43a within which to accommodate the end margin of the tape in retracted position. The edge of the outer opening opposite from the recession edge of the inner opening is formed for cutting purposes and may have serrations exemplary of a cutting edge 34.

In operation, the above described modiiied construction permits the inner peripheral wall to be rotated so its tape-passing opening 38a registers with a part of the larger opening 37a of the outer wall remote from the cutting edge 34 so the tape may be freely drawn from the roll. When enough has been pulled out, the members are rotated to retracted relation, thereby locating a marginal length of the tape in the recession 43a from the inner slit or opening to the cutting edge 34 so the desired piece can be torn ofi along said cutting edge and leave the marginal end portion of the tape protected within the recession. Then when a new length of tape is required, the inner member is given a forward rotation which causes that end margin to project out of the outer opening where it may be grasped and pulled out in repetition of the above described operation. As in the previously described construction, rotation of the members may be performed with the lingers of one hand and is aided by providing roughened or knurled surfaces on the annular end walls of the members, as at 42.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 12, 13 and 14, there is shown a pear-shaped wipe-on dispenser comprising a container 2lb one member 22b whereof has a peripheral wall 26b whereas the other member 23b merely constitutes a- -6 obtaining the resilient engagement with the closure member 23b. Also in this instance a hollow cylindrical hub block'129 is mounted on hub 29b as a ller upon which core 32 of the tape roll is applied. The hub block rotates on the small hub with less friction than in -the first-described embodiment where the core rotates upon a hub having much more surface area. ASince the tape is adherentl as rolled, itwill unroll only to the extent resulting from a pull applied to the end of the tape, and reduction of friction on the hub will lend itself to less force being necessary to withdraw the tape. A lug or dowel 44 is shown at ,the nose portion of the closure member 23h projecting laterally of the nose into the same for preventing rotation of said closure member.

Previously mentioned metal cutter 34a shown in this embodiment, may be attached to the nose 28h by a screw 45 or other suitable means. The lcutter fits between side lips 35 as previously described, to prevent it from digging into the work surface in use. Furthermore, it is within the scope of the invention to utilize previously described nose 28 and its integral cutting edge 34 with this pear-shaped wipe-on dispenser, if so desired.

While the construction of Figures 12 Vto 14 does not show rotatable members and retraction of the end margin of the tape, it is to be understood that the features here shown may be incorporated in the rotatable-member construction of the first-described embodiment if desired, as shown in Fig. 16 wherein previously used reference numerals apply.

With respect to the utilization of a metal cutter, mounting thereof may be variously accomplished, and as a further modiiication, I have shown cutter 34a inserted in a socket 46 provided for the purpose in a nose 28e in Fig. 15. The socket is appropriately proportioned v to frictionally retain the cutter mounted therein. If desired, the nose may be moulded about the blade which will then be permanently held.

Although preferred embodiments have been disclosed, it Will be understood that other modifications and changes may be made with respect to the various parts employed and as to the combinations thereof within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A tape dispenser comprising a container and a cover therefor both having generally cylindrical walls overlapping eachother, each said wall having a slot therein parallel to the axis of said wall, said walls being mounted to rotate one on the other to bring the slots substantially into registration one with the other, the cylindrical wall of the cover having a nose projecting in a generally radial outward direction therefrom with the base of the nose extending from the slot arcuately of the wall a distance approximately equal to the radial projection of said nose, stop means for enabling said cover to revolve on said container an arcuate distance greater than the arcuate dimension of either slot and substantially equal to the arcuate length of said base of the nose and limiting the slot of the container wall to a rotative displacement from registration lof the two said slots to a location of said container slot under the far end of the base of said nose remote from the slot in the cover, said walls having a channel therebetween extending from one slot to the other when the said slots have the aforesaid remote location.

2. A tape dispenser comprising a container and a cover therefor both having generally cylindrical walls overlapping each other, each said wall having a slot therein parallel to the axis of said wall, said walls being mounted to rotate one on the other to bring the slots substantially into registration one with the other, the cylindrical wall of the cover having a nose projecting in a generally radial outward direction therefrom with the base of the'nose extending from the slot arcuately of the wall a distance at least as great as the radial projection of said nose whereby a length of tape underlying the base of said nose may be ejected and then extend outwardly to the end of on said container an arcuate distance greater than the arcuate dimension of either slot and substantially equalY to the arcuate length of said base of the nose and limiting the slot ofthe container wall to a rotative displacement from registration of the two slots to a location of said container slot under the far end of the base of said nose remote from the slot in the cover, said wall of the cover at the area thereof under the base of the nose having a channel toward the container wall and extending from one slot to the other when the said slots have the aforesaid remote location from each other.

References Cited in' the tile of this patent' UNITED STATES PATENTS Schulz Ian. 2, 1917 Fischer July 13, 1943 YNelson et al May 14, 1946 Kahn May 28, 1946 Poupitch Jan. 9, 1951 Vogt Nov, 1, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain July 2, 1935 Italy Apr. 26, 1939 

